Uganda Revenue Authority intelligence officers detained two individuals who masqueraded as tax officials while demanding bribes from Busabala merchants. Authorities arrested Batesaki Kassim and Mugisha Justus after the pair attempted their second fraudulent operation within consecutive days. The suspects had successfully collected illegal payments from business owners during their initial scheme before returning to the same area. A targeted victim contacted law enforcement when the duo approached again seeking unauthorized fees. Police apprehended both men and transferred them through multiple stations before delivering them to URA Intelligence.
Col. Cassette Ignatius Wamundu confirmed that investigators had monitored the suspects' activities before making arrests. The intelligence manager emphasized that neither individual works for the revenue authority and condemned their exploitation of the agency's reputation. Batesaki appeared at his arrest wearing an official URA uniform shirt that he claimed belonged to a former customs employee named Boaz. The 34-year-old Kireka resident admitted receiving 500,000 shillings from a merchant who lacked proper digital tax stamps on alcohol and tobacco products. Records show Batesaki faced similar impersonation charges five years earlier but avoided prosecution due to pandemic-related court disruptions.
Prosecutors will charge both suspects with bribery and fraudulent representation of government officials. The men operated primarily in Makindye Division while targeting businesses with tax compliance concerns. Mugisha Justus faces identical charges despite maintaining a lower profile during the operation. Revenue authority officials continue investigating potential connections to other fraudulent schemes across Kampala. The arrests demonstrate ongoing efforts to protect legitimate taxpayers from criminal exploitation.
Col. Cassette Ignatius Wamundu confirmed that investigators had monitored the suspects' activities before making arrests. The intelligence manager emphasized that neither individual works for the revenue authority and condemned their exploitation of the agency's reputation. Batesaki appeared at his arrest wearing an official URA uniform shirt that he claimed belonged to a former customs employee named Boaz. The 34-year-old Kireka resident admitted receiving 500,000 shillings from a merchant who lacked proper digital tax stamps on alcohol and tobacco products. Records show Batesaki faced similar impersonation charges five years earlier but avoided prosecution due to pandemic-related court disruptions.
Prosecutors will charge both suspects with bribery and fraudulent representation of government officials. The men operated primarily in Makindye Division while targeting businesses with tax compliance concerns. Mugisha Justus faces identical charges despite maintaining a lower profile during the operation. Revenue authority officials continue investigating potential connections to other fraudulent schemes across Kampala. The arrests demonstrate ongoing efforts to protect legitimate taxpayers from criminal exploitation.
